Ring Floodlight vs Spotlight 

If you’re looking to protect your home, you can’t do better than installing outdoor cameras. Entry sensors and indoor cameras are good, but they don’t detect home invasions until someone’s already inside your house. And the only thing more effective than an outdoor camera is an outdoor camera that includes lighting options. There’s nothing like shining a light on a potential burglar to make them think twice about breaking in.

It’s no secret how important outdoor cameras are. They keep a close eye on the perimeter of your property and catch thieves breaking into your garage or running off with your Amazon delivery. But do you need one that comes with its own light? Do lighting options add any security benefits?

To find out the answer, we turned to Ring. While they’ve got some excellent video doorbells, Ring also has a great range of outdoor security cameras, some of which provide optional lighting features. We decided to purchase Ring’s most popular two lighted cameras and put them through their paces to find out if they made a difference.

The Ring Floodlight Cam

Ring Outdoor Cameras Overview

Ring offers two different cameras that include lighting options: the Floodlight Cam and the Spotlight Cam. Now, you might be asking yourself, why do they need to offer two? After all, light is light, right? Not necessarily. While both of these devices make it easier to see at night, they’re designed to serve different functions.

• As the name implies, the Floodlight Cam floods an area with light. That’s perfect if you’ve got a large space to light up. These cameras are bright enough to provide lighting to a small to medium front or back yard.
• Again, the Spotlight Cam’s function is right there in the name. It provides a softer, focused light. That makes it ideal for lighting up specific areas of your property, like a pathway or a set of stairs.

The question, then, is whether you want blinding lights that will stop burglars in their tracks and possibly scare them away, or a spotlight that can help you see your way into the house or welcome guests to your home?

Beyond this basic question, there are a host of other factors to consider. Are you looking for a hardwired model, or is wireless your thing? How are you planning to power your device? Battery? Outlet? Ring now offers solar panels. And how many of these devices does your property need?

That’s a lot of questions, but keep reading. You’ll find we have a lot of answers.

Ring Floodlight vs Ring Spotlight: Similarities

Despite their different functions, these cameras have some important similarities. After all, they’re both made by Ring, so they share a number of basic components. To start with, they have similar recording components. No surprise, then, that both offer the same basic video quality you’ll find in all Ring cameras (read our full roundup of Ring Cameras and pricing if you want to know more).

Through the Ring app, both cameras provide real-time alerts and live views of your property. Both feature two-way communication, which means you can talk with anyone outside or make it seem like you’re home even when you’re not. For a nominal fee, both allow you to store video in the cloud for later playback. Both are available with different power options, including plug-in, battery, and even wireless. And finally, both come in either “Plus” or “Pro” models. Plus means you get HD resolution in virtually any weather, along with customizable motion zones to help cut down on false alarms. The Pro version of these cameras adds 3D motion detection and color night vision.

Ring Spotlight Cam at Twilight

Ring Spotlight vs Ring Floodlight: Differences

We’re going to get into the nitty gritty of the technical differences between these cameras in the features section, but first we want to step back and look at them holistically.

The Spotlight is designed for more than shining a light on would-be criminals. It can help you bring the groceries in during the evening or avoid tripping on the steps after coming home late from a concert. It’s also more welcoming for visitors who are approaching the house, so they don’t have to stare down some dark, ominous stairs. That’s not to say it can’t frighten off intruders. The fact is that any light that comes on suddenly is going to startle would-be burglars. It’s just that the spotlight does a better job of helping you navigate at night.

The floodlight, on the other hand, is all about security. When those 2000 lumens kick on, they light up your backyard like the Vegas strip. And the 105 dB siren sounds like a jet landing at Harry Reid International. You really wouldn’t want to install this piece of equipment on your front porch, unless for some reason you want to be blinded while bringing in the groceries. This is a camera you put in your backyard because, after all, no one has any business back there but you.

Features

Both of these cameras – in all of their various versions – come packed with features. Some of those features overlap, but these cameras are also distinct from one another in important ways. To keep it simple, we’ve broken down each model and added some extra information on the differences between the Plus and Pro models to make it easier to choose the right one for your needs.

Spotlight Cam Plus

• Color Night Vision
• Customizable Motion Detection
• Two-Way Talk
• Motion Activated Notifications
• Built In Siren

Spotlight Cam Pro

• 3D Motion Detection
• Enhanced Audio
• Dual-Band WiFi
• Two-Way Talk
• Built-In Siren

Floodlight Cam Plus

• Color Night Vision
• 2000 Lumen Floodlight
• 105 dB Siren
• Motion Activated Notifications
• Two-Way Talk

Floodlight Cam Pro

• Color Night Vision
• 3D Motion Detection
• Dual-Band WiFi
• Enhanced Audio
• 105 dB Siren

Finally, don’t forget that these two cameras also come with several different power options, from battery to hardwiring. We might point out, though, that the Spotlight Cam has a bit more flexibility on this score. For one thing, all Floodlight cameras require some type of wiring. Either you hardwire it directly to a junction box (replacing a more traditional floodlight) or you plug it into a power outlet. This limitation can prevent some homeowners from installing the Floodlight Cam, at least without the help of an electrician. The Spotlight, on the other hand, offers these same power options but also comes in a battery-power model and can be connected to one of Ring’s solar panels.

Pricing

As you’d expect, the pricing on these devices differs based on which model you select and which power source you want to use. Here’s a quick breakdown of what that looks like:

You should know that Ring has developed a reputation for running frequent sales. Right now, for instance, almost all of Ring’s lighted cameras can be had at deep discounts. The Spotlight Cam Plus, for example, is a full $60 off the regular price, just $109.99. The Floodlight Cam Plus is $80 cheaper than usual, at $119.99. Who knows how long these prices will last, but to keep up with future deals, you can always bookmark our guide to Ring’s sales and discounts; there, you’ll find all the most up-to-date information on Ring’s sales, all in one place.

What We Think

When it comes to home security, it’s tough to go wrong with Ring. They offer some of the best security cameras on the market today, and some of the most affordable as well. If you’re looking specifically for a security camera with an illumination option, both the Spotlight and Floodlight camera are great choices, depending on how you’re going to use them.

If you need straight up security, go with the Floodlight Cam. Its extra bright lights and super loud siren are perfect for warding off would-be intruders. If you’re looking for something a little less severe and a little more universal, the Spotlight Cam might be the better option.